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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Real-time Bioluminescence Imaging of Notch Signaling Dynamics during Murine Neurogenesis
Published on: December 12, 2019
Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) modulates Notch signalling and affects neural stem cell renewal
Mirko H H Schmidt1, Frank Bicker, Iva Nikolic
1Institute of Biochemistry II, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University School of Medicine, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Mirko.Schmidt@kgu.de
Abstract:
Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) is a secreted factor implicated in cellular responses such as cell migration and blood vessel formation; however the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of EGFL7 are largely unknown. Here we have identified transmembrane receptors of the Notch family as EGFL7-binding molecules. Secreted EGFL7 binds to a region in Notch involved in ligand-mediated receptor activation, thus acting as an antagonist of Notch signalling. Expression of EGFL7 in neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro decreased Notch-specific signalling and consequently, reduced proliferation and self-renewal of NSCs. Such altered Notch signalling caused a shift in the differentiation pattern of cultured NSCs towards an excess of neurons and oligodendrocytes. We identified neurons as a source of EGFL7 in the brain, suggesting that brain-derived EGFL7 acts as an endogenous antagonist of Notch signalling that regulates proliferation and differentiation of subventricular zone-derived adult NSCs.
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